Transnet discovers two bodies of alleged fuel thieves in Johannesburg

South African rail agency Transnet has announced that it has discovered two bodies of suspects that were found near Kibler Park in Johannesburg.

Media reports indicate that the two bodies were found following the latest attempt to steal fuel from a Transnet pipeline, the state-owned company said on Monday.

It is reported that a single body was found in a shack located 30 metres away from Transnet’s petroleum pipeline and the other one was found in a tunnel burrowed between the shack and the pipeline.

“It is suspected that they were overcome by fumes while trying to siphon petrol from the pipeline on Saturday night. The structure and tunnel were demolished [on Sunday],” Transnet Pipelines said in a statement.

“The perpetrators will face the full might of the law as tampering with the pipeline, or colluding to tamper, is a Schedule 5 offence in terms of the Criminal Matters Amendment Act…and all perpetrators are charged accordingly.”

As per the statement, this latest incident happened over the past weekend, and “it is a harsh reminder to perpetrators that tampering with the petroleum pipelines and associated infrastructure can lead to disastrous consequences, including personal injuries and fatalities, extensive environmental damage and fire.”

News24 has it that the parastatal, Transnet has had 90 fuel theft incidents in the current financial year, and working together with its specialised tactical teams, inclusive of aerial and ground support, Transnet made 68 arrests, including that of two kingpins.

The parastatal has since called on all petroleum retailers and members of the public to refrain from buying fuel from unregistered sellers, to curb the demand for illegal petroleum products, and to join in the fight against petroleum theft.